Interserve is an international mission agency
offering Christians the chance to use their
faith, training and skills in a unique form of
service.
status: not-for-profit incorporated association.
timing & length of projects: six-month to
one-year projects are classified as short term;
two-year partner programmes are considered
long term.
destinations: Central asia and southeast
asia, India, nepal and the middle east.
Costs: Volunteers raise their own support
with the assistance of Interserve. Volunteers
away for one year will need around a$15,000
to a$20,000 if single, or a$22,000 to
a$30,000 if a couple. Volunteers on two-year
assignments will require around a$27,000
if single, or around a$48,000 if a couple
with children. Keep in mind that these are
approximate figures and vary depending on
the destination.
eligibility: Christians aged 18 to 70 years.
families with children can apply.
groups or Individuals: Individuals, couples
and groups.
annual no. of Volunteers: 50 to 60 on six-
month to one-year projects; eight volunteers
on long-term programmes.
annual projects: 45
partner programmes: 18 partner agencies.
selection & Interview process: Interserve
conducts face-to-face interviews in state offices
(Victoria, new south wales, Queensland, south
australia and western australia), along with a
medical assessment and psychological testing.
references must accompany applications (one
reference must be from the applicant’s church
pastor or minister).
In-country support: partner agencies provide
in-country support and country leaders are
situated in all countries.options for the
under 30s
UK Organisations
Christian aid gap Year
2a deans Court lane, wimborne,
dorset bh21 1ee , uK
%+44 (0)12 0284 0764
[email protected]
http://www.christianaid.org.uk/getinvolved/
volunteer/gapyear/gap_year.aspx
Christian aid’s gap-year placements offer
volunteers the opportunity to raise awareness
among uK youth about issues surrounding
poverty: to lead campaigns and workshops;
to help organise massive fundraising events;and to visit summer festivals promoting
the organisation’s work. You’ll also head
overseas for two weeks to visit Christian aid
projects in the developing world. while some
placements are with particularly evangelical
churches, most are looking for charismatic
youth leaders, regardless of faith.
status: Company limited.
timing & length of projects: the placements
are for 10 months, from the end of august
until the end of june. the overseas trip
included in the placements takes place in
october.
destinations: the majority of the placement
is spent in the united Kingdom, with a
two-week trip to one of 60 countries in the
developing world.
Costs: the fee is £800 for the full 10 months,
including room and board, pocket money and
the two-week overseas trip.
eligibility: applicants must be between 18
and 25 and do not have to be Christian.
while no specific skills or experience are
required, it is preferable if you have some
related work experience (for example,
youth leadership or teaching). Creativity
and confidence in communicating with
young people is essential. You must care
about overseas development issues and be
passionate about engaging young people in
these issues.
groups or Individuals: Volunteers work
individually during their uK placement but
train as a group and travel abroad as a
group.
annual no. of Volunteers: 15
annual projects: each volunteer works in
an area office in the uK and the team visits
several projects while overseas.
partner programmes: Christian aid has over
600 partner organisations in 60 countries.
selection & Interview process: the initial
application is done via the website. following
this, there is an information and interview
day, usually in london.
In-country support: while in the uK,
volunteers work closely with a supervisor
and a mentor. they travel abroad with
two Christian aid leaders and are in
constant contact with the field office.
before travelling, volunteers are given a
comprehensive and thorough briefing on
security and health.time for god
tfg office, north bank, 28 pages lane,
muswell hill, london n101pp , uK
%+44 (0)20 8883 1504
fax +44 (0)56 0205 3964
[email protected]
http://www.timeforgod.org
for over 40 years, time for god has been
placing gap-year volunteers in the uK
and abroad. Its diverse projects include
volunteering in outdoor activity centres
and community-development or drug-
rehabilitation projects. some placements
involve specifically Christian-based work, such
as church youth work. while volunteers are
required to demonstrate a level of devotion,
the organisation is aimed at giving volunteers
the space and support to explore their
relationship with the Christian faith.
status: registered charity and limited
company.
timing & length of projects: uK, european
and us placements start in august and
january for 10 to 12 months (although
january placements can be for six to seven
months if requested). the timing and length
of placements in Kenya and russia are more
flexible, although a three-month minimum is
preferred.
destinations: uK, Kenya, germany, france,
sweden, usa, hungary, ukraine, denmark,
south Korea and Italy.
Costs/pay: some european placements for
volunteers aged 18 to 25 are free, other
placements vary with destination and
length of stay. all placements include board,
accommodation and a monthly stipend.
flights and insurance are not included.
eligibility: applicants must be between 18 and- for overseas placements, the minimum
age is 20. no qualifications or experience are
required.
groups or Individuals: depending on the
project, volunteers work either as a team or
individually.
annual no. of Volunteers: 110
annual projects: 60
partner programmes: 14
selection & Interview process: Interviews are
done in person, or by telephone or skype.
In-country support: each volunteer is allocated
a trained field officer for support and has
An opportunity to engage with the local wildlife presents itself in East Timor access to 24-hour support in emergencies.
Photo: Paul Piaia07: Religious Organisations:Options for the Under 30s